Overcoming C. differences

It has beenknown for some timethat the pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile depends on a pair of toxic proteins secreted by the bacterium. But it has been less clear which of the two toxins-toxin A or toxin B-represents a better therapeutic target. Now, a report by British researchers makes a case that the toxins should be jointly targeted.¹

The findings, which were published in Nature, support the dual toxin-targeting strategies behind mAb-based therapies being pursued by Merck & Co. Inc.,which has MK-3415A, a coformulation of mAbs against toxins A and B, and by Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has preclinical...